Kitchen Light Fixtures
Spotlighting the latest in artificial light sources
Designers separate lighting into three categories: task, ambient, and accent. Task lighting illuminates a particular area where a visual activity -- such as measuring baking ingredients -- takes place. Ambient, or general, lighting fills in the undefined areas of a room with a soft level of light -- enough, say, to munch a midnight snack by. Accent lighting, which is primarily decorative, is used to highlight architectural features, to set a mood, or to provide drama.
In addition, designers frequently tuck task lighting behind a valance under wall cabinets and over countertops. For a whimsical touch, you might run decorative strip lights in a toe-space area or soffit.
Surface-mounted fixtures, once a kitchen mainstay, are now used specifically to draw attention. Hanging pendants are attractive in a breakfast nook or over an island -- or anywhere where they won't present a hazard. Low-voltage cable lights combine the flexibility of standard track fixtures with a dash of high-tech style.
Dimmers (also called rheostats) enable you to set a fixture at any level from a soft glow to a radiant brightness. They also save energy.
Incandescent light. This light, the kind used most frequently in our homes, is produced by a tungsten thread that burns slowly inside a glass bulb. A-bulbs are the old standbys; R- and PAR- bulbs produce a more controlled beam; and silvered-bowl types diffuse light. A number of decorative bulbs are also available.
Low-voltage incandescent lighting is especially useful for accent lighting. Operating on 12 or 24 volts, these lights require transformers, which are sometimes built into the fixtures, to step down the voltage from 120-volt household circuits.
Low-voltage fixtures are relatively expensive to buy. But in the long run, low-voltage lighting can be energy- and cost-efficient if carefully planned.
Which fixtures are best?
Generally speaking, small and discreet are the bywords in kitchen light fixtures; consequently, recessed downlights are the most popular choice in today's kitchens. Though these fixtures, fitted with the right baffles or shields, can handle ambient, task, and accent needs by themselves, you'll probably want other sources, too, at least to fill in shadows. Typically, downlights follow countertops or shine on the sink or island. Track lights or mono-spots also offer pinpoint task lighting and can be aimed at a wall to provide a wash of ambient light.In addition, designers frequently tuck task lighting behind a valance under wall cabinets and over countertops. For a whimsical touch, you might run decorative strip lights in a toe-space area or soffit.
Surface-mounted fixtures, once a kitchen mainstay, are now used specifically to draw attention. Hanging pendants are attractive in a breakfast nook or over an island -- or anywhere where they won't present a hazard. Low-voltage cable lights combine the flexibility of standard track fixtures with a dash of high-tech style.
Dimmers (also called rheostats) enable you to set a fixture at any level from a soft glow to a radiant brightness. They also save energy.
Light bulbs and tubes
Light sources can be grouped according to the way they produce light.Incandescent light. This light, the kind used most frequently in our homes, is produced by a tungsten thread that burns slowly inside a glass bulb. A-bulbs are the old standbys; R- and PAR- bulbs produce a more controlled beam; and silvered-bowl types diffuse light. A number of decorative bulbs are also available.
Low-voltage incandescent lighting is especially useful for accent lighting. Operating on 12 or 24 volts, these lights require transformers, which are sometimes built into the fixtures, to step down the voltage from 120-volt household circuits.
Low-voltage fixtures are relatively expensive to buy. But in the long run, low-voltage lighting can be energy- and cost-efficient if carefully planned.
